Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the second phase of a historic $20 billion five-year plan for the creation or preservation of 100,000 affordable and 6,000 supportive housing units. State agencies issued three separate Requests for Proposals to provide more than $650 million in capital funding and $30 million in service and operating funding for supportive housing.
"This administration has made an unprecedented commitment to helping New Yorkers secure a safe, decent and affordable place to call home and this new phase will help ensure some of the most vulnerable among us have the opportunity for stable housing with the help and resources they need," Governor Cuomo said. "These actions will combat homelessness and help make New York a safer, more just and more affordable place for all."
New York leads the nation in affordable housing preservation and construction. The State Fiscal Year 2018 Enacted Budget continues funding to advance Governor Cuomo’s $20 billion comprehensive, five-year plan for affordable and supportive housing to ensure New Yorkers have access to safe and secure housing. The Budget includes $2.5 billion in funding toward the creation or preservation of 100,000 affordable and 6,000 supportive housing units.
$30 Million in Operating Funds for Supportive Housing
The first RFP, developed by the Governor’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative Interagency workgroup, will provide service and operating funding for at least 1,200 units of supportive housing for homeless persons with special needs, conditions or other challenges.
The New York State Office of Mental Health will serve as the lead procurement agency for the RFP; however, successful proposals will not be limited to services for people with mental illness. Proposals will address the needs of all the populations served by the agencies in the ESSHI Interagency Workgroup, which include the following: Office of Mental Health, Department of Health including the AIDS Institute, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Office of Children and Family Services, Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Targeted homeless populations include veterans, victims of domestic violence, frail or disabled senior citizens, young adults with histories of incarceration, homelessness or foster care, chronically homeless individuals and families, individuals eligible for Medicaid Redesign Team funds, as well as individuals with health, mental health and/or substance use disorders.
The RFP will provide the service and operating funding needed to operate permanent supportive housing units. Applicants are expected to secure separate capital funding to finance the development and construction of their housing project. Funding awarded under this RFP may be used to provide rental assistance and services to eligible target populations to ensure their housing stability. Permissible uses of funds include, but are not limited to the following:
This funding opportunity is open only to not-for-profit organizations. Although the not-for-profit organization may have a partnership with a housing developer, the official applicant must be the not-for-profit organization that will manage the service and operating contract funds.
A webinar will be held on June 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. to provide an overview of the RFP. This webinar will be taped and made available on OMH’s website. Questions about the RFP must be received by June 26, and all proposals are due by 2:00 pm on July 24.
$588 Million for Affordable and Supportive Housing
New York State Homes and Community Renewal has issued an RFP for more than $588 million to advance the creation and preservation of a wide range of affordable housing, including up to $175 million for supportive housing as part of the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program.
The RFP also includes funding for ten other HCR construction and preservation programs. Applications for funding for existing and new programs may be submitted any time before March 1, 2018, or until all allocations of resources are committed. Applications will be reviewed as received and funding determinations will be made throughout the year.
Programs included in the comprehensive HCR RFP are:
$63 Million for Supportive Housing
The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance also issued an RFP for its Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. The FY 2018 State Budget included $63 million for Homeless Housing and Assistance Program which can be used to acquire, construct or rehabilitate housing for people who are homeless and unable to secure housing without assistance. Projects eligible for Homeless Housing and Assistance Program funding may serve families, single adults, youth, the elderly, as well as a range of special needs groups including persons with mental illness, victims of domestic violence, veterans and people with HIV/AIDS.
Proposals will be accepted beginning June 23. The RFP can be found on OTDA’s website, http://otda.ny.gov/contracts/.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health said, “Governor Cuomo’s commitment to helping vulnerable families and individuals will provide thousands of New Yorkers with a safe home and integrated services. More importantly, it will give them the opportunity and assistance they need to rebuild their lives as they make their way on the road to recovery.”
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal said, “New York is a national leader in aggressively tackling homelessness and housing insecurity by creating innovative, effective programs to finance the production and preservation of affordable housing. In keeping with Governor Cuomo’s mission to provide quality affordable homes and services people need to succeed, the more than $680 million announced today will expand this record of achievement, helping thousands of deserving New Yorkers to live securely within their means.”
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts said, “This funding will make a tremendous difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers by providing not just a roof over their heads, but the supportive services that are essential to achieving independence. The Governor has again demonstrated that New York is committed to the idea that supportive housing is fundamental to breaking the cycle of homelessness.”
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner Kerry A. Delaney said, “Affordable supportive housing is the foundation for the fulfilling, community-integrated life we strive to help people achieve. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with our human services colleagues, at Governor Cuomo’s direction, to expand and improve supportive housing throughout New York State. Initiatives like the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative result in richer lives, more cohesive and diverse communities, and ultimately, an even better and stronger New York.”
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Ensuring access to safe, well-maintained housing helps individuals develop healthier, more independent lifestyles that will benefit them for years to come. Supportive housing has been found to help New York residents avoid inpatient hospitalization and reduce emergency room visits, leading to lower healthcare costs. Governor Cuomo’s commitment to improving the lives of homeless New Yorkers through supportive housing continues the fight against one of the nation’s most troubling challenges and offers hope to thousands of New York’s most vulnerable residents.”
OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, “Access to stable and affordable supportive housing is especially important for people battling a substance use disorder. With initiatives like this one, Governor Cuomo continues to position New York State as a national leader in providing a full continuum of care for people seeking addiction services.”
Acting OCFS Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, “Young adults fending for themselves on the streets in unstable housing situations are at risk of violence, crime and sexual exploitation. Providing supportive housing promotes the well-being of these vulnerable young adults, especially those aging out of the foster care system or runaway and homeless youth whose families are either unable or unwilling to care for them.”
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